The Lie of Equality and Truth of Universality

("Niobe's Tear", 2020, original encaustic) The Lie of Equality and Truth of Universality The world has always been divided Along lines of haves and have nots In whatever way you wish To measure the having. The difference today is Inequality is no longer acceptable. But since it clearly exists - empirically In whatever way you measure - And since one of those measures Is the fact one group Of people are the majority That group must be repressive And repressors by nature. That in a nutshell is the basis Of systemic racism The only way to explain the disconnect Between what is and what is desired, Or what is actual and ideal. It’s easy to dismiss the wave of D.E.I training That comes next As “Democrat’s Entirely Ignorant” indoctrination But it’s deeper than that, As the dream of equality runs deep In everyone Who just wants to get along And can feel in their bones Our connection and a universal something Which is in fact the lack of individuality At our core. From this universal sameness You could even say - nothingness - We project all our hopes and fears. The problem with the idealistic indoctrination Is it wants to have it both ways Individuality and universality And so bridge the gap Between fact and fantasy. The problem with this Of course Is despite all our hopes and fears It will only end in tears Because when people who have been hurt Get tired of being hurt They don’t care who they hurt And the truth of universality is simply When we hurt others We hurt ourselves. (2/15/24)